If your baby just won't stop crying, don't panic. Colic is a normal condition, and it will pass. Until it does, try the following tips for soothing your baby.
What is colic?
Colic is defined as periodic, fussy crying in an otherwise normal, healthy baby who has no medical problem. A colicky baby will cry incessantly in a high-pitched tone from 30 minutes to three hours at about the same time every day - usually in the early evening. His face may become very red and he may pull his legs up to his stomach. If you touch your baby's abdomen, it might feel very tight and hard, and he might pass gas to relieve this pressure. Colic begins in the first month of life, usually peaks at six weeks and then gradually declines and disappears by the time the baby is four months old. Although distressing to parents, colic is quite common and is harmless to the baby.
What causes colic?
Nobody knows what causes colic, so dealing with the condition often confuses parents. Some doctors think a colicky baby suffers from intestinal cramps, while others suggest that the baby cries because his nervous system is still developing. Other doctors attribute this to the fact that the baby feeds on relatively large amounts of milk relative to its size during the first three months. Parents are often told to look for problems like overfeeding, underfeeding, not holding the baby in a sufficiently upright position while feeding, or closing the teat on his bottle too tightly. Breastfeeding mothers are advised to make sure the baby is latching on properly. Another explanation is that mothers become very tired and stressed by the end of the day, and a baby picks up on this tension and expresses it through relentless crying. However, many parents find that no matter what they change in those respects, nothing works to console their baby. More importantly, none of these explanations have been proven scientifically.
If you think your baby has colic, first make sure he isn't also suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash on his face or body. All of these symptoms indicate a more serious, medical condition and you should contact your doctor immediately. The most common conditions are gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal reflux, a milk allergy, or lactose intolerance. These are medical problems which your doctor should diagnose and treat and which should not be mistaken for colic.
What can you do?
Once you have excluded any medical condition, all you can do is concentrate on soothing your baby until the crying passes. This can be a very difficult time, as many colicky babies will not be calmed no matter what their parents do. It's easy to lose confidence when you feel you are failing to comfort your child. Also, after several hours of dealing with a screaming baby, most parents become tense and frustrated.
Try to relax. You have to expect that these bouts of crying could continue for several months. Plan your day so that you are not too tired or stressed by the time the colic begins. Remember that the crying will last for a few hours maximum and that it will subside. Ask your spouse, a relative or a close friend to help you with the baby during this time. To soothe your baby, first try the methods that you know calm him during other times of the day, whether that be rocking, breastfeeding, bottle feeding or burping. If those fail, here are five tips. Try them one at a time or in combination to see what works best for your baby!
1. If offering the breast or bottle doesn't work, try a pacifier instead.
2. Rub the baby's back gently to eliminate gas.
3. Lay your baby on his stomach over your lap. You might want to try placing a hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel so that it is just warm) underneath him.
4. Go out for a drive. The motion of the car may relax him.
5. Turn on the washing machine or vacuum cleaner. Some babies are soothed by the rhythmic noise.
You shouldn't give your baby any medication unless your doctor recommends it. In the end, your baby might just need to cry it out, and there will be nothing you can do. Rest assured that colic is a passing phase and that it will end.
FOR MORE BABY ARTICLES, GET A COPY OF THE MOTHER & CHILD COMPLETE GUIDE TO PREGNANCY & BABY!
